[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 74 (Monday, April 19, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 19199-19200] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-9694] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation 332-405] Probable Economic Effects of the Reduction or Elimination of U.S. Tariffs AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EFFECTIVE DATE: April 13, 1999. SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on March 15, 1999, from the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-405, Probable Economic Effects of the Reduction or Elimination of U.S. Tariffs, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)). As requested by USTR, the Commission will provide advice as to the probable economic effects on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on consumers, of modifying tariffs under three scenarios, as follows: 1. The effects resulting from changes in the levels of dutiable imports from all U.S. trading partners if all tariffs were reduced by at least 50 percent, with tariffs of 5 percent ad valorem or less reduced to free; 2. The effects resulting from changes in the levels of dutiable imports from all U.S. trading partners if tariffs were eliminated; and 3. The effects resulting from tariff elimination on dutiable imports from Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) trading partners alone. The request covers each article for which tariffs will remain after full implementation of the staged duty reductions resulting from the Uruguay Round or subsequent World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements (e.g., the Information Technology Agreement). The USTR requested the Commission to provide the advice in a confidential report by November 17, 1999. In her letter, the USTR noted that ``[T]his request by no means implies that we intend to take action on these tariff measures. It merely indicates our interest in obtaining factual advice from the Commission on the probable economic effects of their reduction or elimination.'' FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be obtained from Robert Wallace, Project Leader (202-205-3458) or James Lukes, Deputy Project Leader (202-205-3426), Office of Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. For information on the legal aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810. Background In her letter to the Commission, the USTR stated that a new round of multilateral negotiations will be launched at the WTO's Third Ministerial Conference. The letter noted that the WTO Agreements mandate further negotiations on agriculture and that many WTO members are advocating new negotiations on industrial tariffs. The letter also noted that, within our hemisphere, President Clinton and other leaders at the Miami and Santiago Summits of the Americas have called for the completion of an FTAA no later than the year 2005, and that agricultural and industrial tariffs will be one area addressed in the FTAA negotiations. The Commission will provide the probable economic effects advice at an 8-digit subheading level of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). There are a total of 6,424 current HTS subheadings for which tariffs will remain after full implementation of the staged duty reductions resulting from the Uruguay Round or subsequent WTO agreements. A list of these HTS subheadings is available on the Commission's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/invfrn.htm#332. A printed copy of the list is also available for inspection in the docket section of the Secretary's office. Public Hearing A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on June 15, 1999, and continuing on June 16 if necessary. All persons shall have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., June 1, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., June 3, 1999; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., August 10, 1999. To allow sufficient time for full consideration, the Commission encourages all persons who appear at the public hearing to submit any prepared statements and accompanying material to the Secretary by 5:15 p.m., June 10, 1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on June 1, 1999, no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-participant may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205- 1806) after June 1, 1999, to determine whether the hearing will be held. Written Submissions In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked ``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's rules of practice and procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no later than the close of business on August 10, 1999. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. General [[Page 19200]] information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). List of Subjects WTO, FTAA, Tariffs, and Imports. Issued: April 14, 1999. By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-9694 Filed 4-16-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P